It seems like a lot of commenters don't understand the problem. The issue is not about whether that copper wire can be useful. It's not about whether there exist alternatives to provide in places where the copper is too expensive to maintain.
The point is that regulations previously required the telco provide an alternative service that works just as well as the existing copper before they are allowed to stop maintaining the copper. But that is no longer the case as of this vote.
Now when the telco doesn't want to pay to maintain the copper they can simply do nothing at all, which absolutely will leave people without any form of telecommunication in some areas.
The point is that regulations previously required the telco provide an alternative service that works just as well as the existing copper before they are allowed to stop maintaining the copper. But that is no longer the case as of this vote.
Now when the telco doesn't want to pay to maintain the copper they can simply do nothing at all, which absolutely will leave people without any form of telecommunication in some areas.